cheat_training_group About Cheat Race day

For those of you who have not participated in the Cheat Race previously --- or for those whose memories have been fogged by the copious flow of malted beverage at past races (you know who you are!) --- you may want to know what to expect on race day.

Since the Cheat Race website has been taken over by Japanese hair removal products (yes, really), the Cheat Festival site is the best bet for info. (http://cheat.org/festival/downriver-race) 

Here are a few extra details:

- The Laurel Highlands Outfitters, registration site and staging ground for the race put-in, is one meadow up the road from Teeter's campground. It won't be hard to find, as you'll see plenty of cars, tents and boats. You can walk between Teeter's and the race put-in through the festival grounds.

- Safety boaters are provided at certain key spots...my memory says Big Nasty and Coliseum, maybe others. There will be rafts trailing the entire race to pick up the stranded and lost. But you need to be as self-sufficient as possible. I would encourage you to have a buddy or two of equal speed/fitness and work together to support one another down the river.

- The race does provide a shuttle. Racers and boats are shuttled separately. Racers will be taken by bus back to the race put-in. Boats go on to the race party site at Mountain Stream Outfitters, which is just beyond the bridge in Albright, slightly further up the road from where we have been putting in this year. Don't worry...follow the cars and you'll get there.

- Setting your own shuttle is an option. Be sure to leave enough time to get down to the take-out and back --- and don't leave your helmet or other vital piece of gear down there. (Yes, it has happened!) Private vehicles must stay in the upper lot at Jenkinsburg, the same one we've been using over these past few weekends.

- If you have a shuttle-bunny, watching the finish from the Jenkinsburg Bridge can be fun for them. There is usually a small parade of vehicles heading down after the start, so novice drivers should be able to follow someone. By the time they watch the start of the race and then drive down to Jenkinsburg, they usually don't have to wait too long before first racers arrive.

- At the take-out, the race organizers usually provide beverages. "Beverages" is always translated to mean "beer", though there may also be water. Folks hang out to wait for other racers, chat about their race experiences, and wait for the shuttle.

- We will organize our LAKS race teams at registration. Again, teams usually consist of 3-4 racers, with the top three times for each team counting for the final result. However, teams are just for fun. We will likely end up paddling in some larger groups, depending on the levels and racers.

Finally, I have heard of a few folks who need to come back Friday night after the race. If that is your plan, please sound off if you need a ride or would like some company. It does feel like a LONG ride home after the race, so have your favorite car tunes ready, plan out your caffeine intervals, and be careful out there!

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Please note that participation in the race is NOT part of the Cheat Training package from Liquid Adventures Kayak School (LAKS). Any advice or support by anyone associated with LAKS is offered as a personal courtesy, not a professional service...and is likely suspect, especially from me! And maybe Kenny. You can probably trust Sandrine, though. ;-)  Be safe out there and have fun!

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Hope this is helpful. See ya on Friday...
JOHN